PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The Churchland Bridge in Portsmouth was shut down Wednesday evening in both directions because of unsafe road conditions.

According to Detective Misty Holley with the Portsmouth Police Department, the bridge will be reopened once salt and sand trucks treat the bridge.

Drivers were asked to avoid the Churchland area and take an alternate route Wednesday evening. Police also reminded drivers to be cautious and to drive slowly during the evening commute as bridges and overpasses can freeze before the roadways.